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MAH-JONGG 


THE PLAY OF ONE HUNDRED INTELLIGENCES 

IN A PROLOGUE AND ONE ACT 


By 

CONSTANCE GRENELLE WILCOX 

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/ 

/ 


AUTHOR OF “TOLD IN A CHINESE GARDEN,” “PAN PIPES,” Etc* 


J 

WITH MUSIC IN THE CHINESE MANNER 


By 

HARVEY WORTHINGTON LOOMIS 


/ 


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>>’ 

BOSTON 

C. C. BIRCHARD & COMPANY 



Copyright, 1923, by C. C. Birchard & Com 
International Copyright secured 


All rights reserved 



IMPORTANT NOTICE 


Performance of any copyrighted work without per¬ 
mission of the owner of the copyright is forbidden and 
is subject to the penalties provided by the Copyright 
laws of the United States for unlawful performance. 

Copying of either the whole or any part of a copy¬ 
righted work by any process whatsoever is forbidden 
and is subject to the penalties provided by the Copy¬ 
right laws of the United States. 

Renting of copies of a copyrighted work by all 
others except the owner of the copyright is forbidden 
by the Copyright laws of the United States. 

Orchestration of the whole or any part of a copy¬ 
righted work is forbidden and is subject to the penal¬ 
ties provided by Copyright laws of the United States. 

The right to perform this work may be secured 
from the publishers and not otherwise. 

C. C. Birchard & Co. 

221 Columbus Avenue, Boston. 


Printed in United States of America 


©CI.D 26506 



At o -j/ 





AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED 


TO 

Professor Jack Crawford 

WHO FIRST TAUGHT ME TO PLAY MAH-JONGG 
AND WHO WITH GREAT KINDNESS AND 
APPRECIATION DIRECTED THE FIRST 
PRODUCTION OF THIS PLAY 


NOTE 

The play may be performed with music or 
without, according to preference; but Mah- 
Jongg’s song on page 40 should be given. If 
the other music is omitted, the text of the 
music numbers should be chanted in mono¬ 
tone. 

Vocal parts will be found on pages 72-75. 

Suggestions for costuming, etc., on page 63. 

Acknowledgment is made to Mr. Joseph 
Park Babcock, who first introduced this 
fascinating Chinese tile game to the outside 
world in the form of Mah-Jongg. The word 
Mah-Jongg is a trade-mark and designates 
the game imported and sold by Parker 
Brothers Inc. and by the Mah-Jongg Sales 
Company of America, by whose courtesy we 
are permitted to use the title of this play. 


THE GAME 


The game of Mah-Jongg is played with Tiles instead of 
cards. There are three suits: Dots , Bamboos and Char¬ 
acters , nine in each suit. The Honors are the Four Winds; 
Red , Green and Invisible Dragons , and the Seasons , which 
count separately. 

The Wall is the square built of Tiles by the players. 

To Pung is to collect three of a kind. 

To Chow is to make a sequence of three. 

The game is played by drawing Tiles from the Wall , discarding those not 
wanted; Punging or Chowing from the other players, the object being 
to secure a complete hand with as large scoring combinations as 
possible. The completion of the hand is known as Mah-Jongg. 

A Loose Tile is one taken from the end of the Wall when a Season is drawn. 
Each player is named for a Wind. Each player’s own Wind is called his 
Favoring Wind , and Tiles of that denomination count double. 

Buried Treasure , Four upon Four , Earthly Peace, Major Three , The Hand 
from Heaven , The Hand from Earth , The Thirteen Orphans , The Lucky 
Thirteen , The Nine Gates, The Seven Twins , etc., are called Limit 
Hands. 

Moon from the Bottom of the Sea: the last Tile drawn from the Wall , if a 
winning one. 

Plum Blossom from the Roof: the same with a Loose Tile. 

To Kong is to collect four of a kind. 

The foregoing brief outline is in no sense a full elucida¬ 
tion of the game of Mah-Jongg, which has too many intri¬ 
cacies to be fully described here. But it will serve to shed 
some light on the characters and action of the play for those 
who are not familiar with the game. 


MAH-JONGG 

The Play of One Hundred Intelligences 

Scene: A Chinese Garden Representing a Mah-Jongg Table. 
Time: A Summer Afternoon. 


CHARACTERS 

Prologue. 

The Four Mah-Jongg Mandarins. 


Mah-Jongg 

The Princess Four-Flowers 


The Players. 


The First Season. 

The Second Season. 
The Third Season. 

The Fourth Season. 
The East Wind. 

The West Wind. 

The North Wind. 

The South Wind. 

The Red Dragon. 

The Green Dragon. 
One Character. 

One Dot. 

Two Bamboo. 

The Bird One Bamboo. 


>The Tiles of the Mah-Jongg Set. 


Other Dots; Characters; Bamboos, etc. 


[ 6 ] 



MAH-JONGG 


r HE SCENE is a garden. In the center is a flower-ringed 
pool from ivhich rises a jet of water sparkling in the 
sunlight. At the back is a woodland through which a 
little path wanders down into the close-clipped stvard of the 
garden. At one side is a green-covered arbor leading off , which 
is entwined with a flowering vine , and one pink full-blown 
blossom of large she hangs tantalizingly over its entrance. At 
right is a stone bench under a tall cedar. 

THE PROLOGUE 1 

[There is a sound of a Chinese gong and Prologue walks out 
ceremoniously through the arbor. He is an imposing Man¬ 
darin with round , scarlet hat and richly embroidered robes. He 
carries an ornate Mah-Jongg box. Behind Prologue walk the 
Four Mah-Jongg Mandarins , also in rich robes , their hands 
tucked in their sleeves. They wear tight black silk caps with 
jeweled buttons. They stand in a rozv behind Prologue as he 
speaks , and bow when he bows. Behind them are three Coolies 
with peaked hats. One carries a small round table; the others 
carry two stools each. If the Mah-Jongg set is one with four 
drawers containing the Tiles , Prologue may give to each Man¬ 
darin one drawer which he holds showing the audience the 
Tiles , Prologue keeping the box.] 

PROLOGUE 

[Speaks] 

Most honorable spectators! I come a Prologue unworthy to 
stand in your shadows. The game which we, your 
slaves, most humbly beseech you to behold with your 


1 Written by Professor Jack Crawford. 



benign indulgence is known from Ho San to Kwang 
Ho as Mah-Jongg. Three thousand countless years ago 
the Bird of One Hundred Intelligences brought from 
heaven the blessed rules and laid them at the feet of 
the imperial Tsao Tchu. Tsao Tchu, mindful of the 
favor thus bestowed upon him, taught the heavenly 
game to all his six hundred wives. From the Wednes¬ 
day afternoons of the six hundred wives of Tsao Tchu 
the game spread from the walls of Ho San to the shores 
of Kwang Ho. Not satisfied with the labors of three 
thousand countless years, the Bird of One Hundred 
Intelligences took flight to the West that all of your 
honorable selves — may your ancestors increase! — 
might share in its heavenly complications. Listen, most 
honorable audience, and you shall be taught, in this 
garden of the Princess Four-Flowers, how to play at 
this celestial pastime. Imagine that you behold four 
walls and two rolling dice — but at this point, with 
your indulgent permission readily granted, I shall retire 
that you may be no longer kept in suspense. The game 
is about to begin! 

[Prologue concludes with a deep bow. The Coolies place the 
table and stools down stage at left and go out. Prologue , with 
much ceremony , puts the Mah- Jongg box on the table and opens 
it. The Four Mandarins , after bowing to the audience , then to 
each other , seat themselves at the table and begin a game of Mah- 
Jongg which continues in silence and with great solemnity 
throughout the Play. If the Play be given out of doors at night , 
a candle on the table lights the Mandarin’s game. Care should 
be taken that the Mandarins do not distract attention from the 
progress of the Play. 

When the Mandarins have begun their game , Prologue bows 
and makes an impressive exit as a gong sounds for the begin¬ 
ning of the Play.] 


[ 8 ] 




Behold the Princess Four-Flowers! 











THE PLAY 


[At the sound of the gong a chanting is heard off stage.] 
VOICES 

[Off stage.] 

Music No. i ( a ) 

Behold the Garden that is surrounded by the Wall, marked 
with Characters, strengthened with Bamboo and built 
in Circles! 

Behold the Princess Four-Flowers, exquisite as the Plum 
Blossom on the Roof, and remote as the Moon from the 
Bottom of the Sea! 

[The chanting grows louder as a procession comes through 
the arbor into the garden. This procession consists of the palan¬ 
quin of the Princess Four-Flowers borne by her Four Seasons 
and guarded by attendant Characters. 

The palanquin is like a shrine , being made of scarlet lacquer 
with a scarlet and gold embroidered canopy supported by gilded 
poles. 

The little Princess Four-Flowers , in a gown stiff with em¬ 
broidery , sits on a scarlet cushion backed by a huge gold lotus 
leaf , her hands crossed on her breast , and we see that she is bound 
by chains that stretch from her arms to the poles of the canopy. 
She is very beautiful , and her sad little face is framed by an 
elaborate headdress of Four Flowers surmounted by a great 
round silver Moon. 

The Four Seasons are tall god-like beings , attired in long 
robes and elaborate high gilt headdresses from which hang 
flowers and tassels. The First Season is in green , the Second 
Season in yellow , the Third Season in scarlet , the Fourth Season 
in white; but there is a similarity in their appearance. 


The Characters are squat little creatures with shiny brown 
heads and wizened , mask-like faces. They are swathed in yel¬ 
lowish white draperies; and suspended like an amulet from a 
string around the neck of each is a large black Chinese character. 
The Characters should be eight in number led by the principal , 
One Character. 

The procession comes through the arbor slowly , chanting. The 
Seasons solemnly put down the palanquin by the side of the poof 
and , still chanting , take up their positions , two on each side of 
the palanquin , their arms in hierarchical attitudes. The little 
Characters squat in a row before them , touching their heads to 
the ground in rhythm as before a shrine , One Character having 
likewise prostrated himself. Princess Four-Flowers does not 
move. The chant is continued by the Characters.} 

THE CHAR AC T E R S 

[Chanting.] 

Music No. i (b) 

Behold the Flowers that come with the Seasons and the 
Seasons that come with the Flowers! 

Behold the Garden that is surrounded by the Wall, marked 
with Characters, strengthened with Bamboo and built 
in Circles! 

Behold the Princess Four-Flowers, exquisite as the Plum 
Blossom on the Roof, and remote as the Moon from the 
Bottom of the Sea whom no one may attain! 

ONE CHARACTER 

Behold the First Season who guards the Princess! 

THE CHARACTERS 

It is the Season of Young Green Rice. 

[The Green Season revolves solemnly in place.] 


ONE CHARACTER 

Behold the Second Season to guard the Princess! 

THE CHARACTERS 

It is the Season of Golden Flowers. 

[The Yellow Season revolves.] 


ONE CHARACTER 

Behold the Third Season to guard the Princess! 

THE CHARACTERS 

It is the Season of Scarlet Foliage. 

[The Scarlet Season revolves.] 


ONE CHARACTER 

Behold the Fourth Season to guard the Princess! 


THE CHARACTERS 

It is the Season of White Rain. 

[The White Season revolves.] 


ALL, EXCEPT PRINCESS 

Music No. i ( c) 

Behold the Flowers that come with the Seasons and the 
Seasons that come with the Flowers! 


ONE CHARACTER 


He who would hold in his Hand the Princess Four-Flowers 
must indeed be of the Great Major Three and pile Four 
upon Four in his Buried Treasure before he retains an 
Earthly Peace. The Princess Four-Flowers is sur- 


ii 


rounded by a hand-built Wall, made in Circles, strength¬ 
ened by Bamboo, and lastly inscribed with Characters. 
She is enchained by Four Seasons. 

[The Four Seasons come forward and in turn pick 
up four long gilded chains that hang from the 
corners of the Shrine.] 

Behold the Season whose power lies upon the Wall behind a 
magical inscription of Characters. 

[Green Season takes up chain.] 

Behold the Season whose power lies upon the Wall between 
two Dragons. 

[Yellow Season takes up chain.] 

Behold the Season whose power lies upon the Wall among 
the Winds. 

[Scarlet Season.] 

Behold the Season whose power lies no one knows where. 
[White Season.] 

There is no one who will dare to break the chains of the 
Seasons who bind the Princess Four-Flowers as exquisite 
as the Plum Blossom on the Roof and as unattainable 
as the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea. 


ALL, EXCEPT PRINCESS 

[Chanting.] 


Music No. i ( c ) 

Behold the Flowers that come with the Seasons and the 
Seasons that come with the Flowers! 


ONE CHARACTER 

We are the Characters. We instruct the Princess in the 
meaning of the Major and Minor Quadruple Fours. 
We are philosophers, and she must listen though her 
ears grow as deaf as with the ceaseless echo of the sea. 
[The Characters rock back and forth muttering.] 


THE CHARACTERS 


[In a sing-song as they rock.} 


Music No. i (i d ) 

Pung, Chow, Pung, Chow, Pung, Chow. . . 
[They keep this up.] 


ONE CHARACTER 

We are the Characters. Our words are written in vermilion 
ink, and if our discussions are long it is well to remember 
that in three minutes a laborer will remove an obstruct¬ 
ing rock, but three moons will pass without two Wise 
Men agreeing on the meaning of a vowel. We are the 
Characters. Three million years old and as wise as the 
Hundred Intelligences. Make ready, O Princess, for 
Instruction in the Hundred Intelligences. 

THE CHARACTERS 

[In a sing-song.] 

Pung, Chow, Pung, Chow, etc. 

ONE CHARACTER 

Remember, Princess, that Scratching the Four is not the same 
as Fishing the Eye nor yet Filling the Middle. Remem¬ 
ber that he who Chows cannot Pung, nor he who Pungs, 
Chow. 

[There comes a sound as of distant thunder.] 

Ah! 

[One Character raises his wizened head and peers 

about.] 

I hear the roll of the Great Dice — the Opening of the Box 
of the Winds — and the rumble of the Dragons! There 
is something threatening in the air. 

[He motions the Characters to get up.] 

[ 13 ] 


To the Wall! To the Wall! Replace the Loose Tiles and fill 
every cranny so that no breath can shake the Plum 
Blossom on the Roof and no tremor stir the Moon at 
the Bottom of the Sea! To the Wall! To the Wall! 

[He goes out; driving the little Characters before 
him. We hear them calling as they go out: “To 
the Wall! To the Wall! Pung , Chow! Pung , 
Chow! ”] 

[When the little Princess is left entirely alone with 
the Seasons , she moves for the first time and looks 
timidly first at the Seasons on one side of her and 
then on the other. She can just raise her arms a 
little under their chains. She speaks in a sweet , 
timid little voice.] 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Oh, Seasons, it is very quiet in the garden. Will you not 
speak to me? 

FIRST SEASON 

We are the Seasons. We move, but we cannot speak. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Will you not dance for me then, Seasons? 

SECOND SEASON 

We are the Seasons. We guard the Flowers and move only 
when they do. 


FOUR-FLOWERS 
Will you not let me go then, Seasons? 


THIRD SEASON 


We are the Seasons. We release you only when our chains 
are broken. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 
When will that be, Seasons? 

FOURTH SEASON 

We are the Seasons. Who knows when our power will fall? 


ALL THE SEASONS 

We are the Seasons. We speak no more. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Oh, your remarks are opaque and my heart is as heavy as 
a Tile that does not match! 

[She hides her face in her hands.] 

[The voice of Mah-Jongg is heard off stage. He 
comes down through the woodland into the garden , 
singing.] 

MAH-JONGG 

[In a lusty sing-song.] 

Music No. 2 ( a ) 

Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 

Who buys my wares, plasters the crannies of his Wall with 
luck! 

Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 

Who buys from my basket, provides for himself a Heavenly 
Peace! 

Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 

[IS] 


Who takes what I proffer, can overcome the Thirteen odds. 

Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 

[As he appears in the garden , one sees a strong 
brown youth in sunburnt blue and yellow clothes , 
with a flat yellow straw sun hat and a tray slung 
around his neck by faded ribbons. On the tray 
are two boxes in the shape of dice enameled white 
with black spots. He stands looking about the 
garden as if for a customer.] 

MAH-JONGG 

Music No. 2 {b) 

Who buys? Who buys? 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Seasons, who is this? 

FIRST SEASON 

Regard him not. He is only a Loose Tile. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

I like him. 

SECOND SEASON 

We, the Seasons, take no note of him. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

But I fear for his life in this dangerous garden. 

THIRD SEASON 

His life is as nothing to us . .. a discarded Tile. 
































































1 imm. ^ 



Do not prostrate yourself 











FOUR-FLOWERS 

I would speak with him. 

FOURTH SEASON 

We, the Seasons, neither listen nor partake in the conversa¬ 
tion of mortals. 

[They all assume fixed attitudes and keep them , 
with expressions of lofty disdain.} 

S 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

[Leaning out.] 

Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! Oh, he does not hear me! I am 
covered with a thousand flower-like confusions! 

MAH-JONGG 

Who buys? Mah-Jongg! 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

If you would cease for a moment the manifestations of your 
undoubted capacity and listen to my unworthy remarks, 
I would speak to you. 

MAH-JONGG 

[Turns and sees her.] 

Oh, most contemptible object that I am to be manipulating 
my ridiculous wares when one of your moonlike perfec¬ 
tions wishes to turn her pearl-like voice in my direction! 
[He prostrates himself.] 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Do not prostrate yourself, but look up. I find you of par¬ 
ticular interest. 

[ 17] 


MAH-JONGG 


Your voice is more musical than the chime of bells in a por¬ 
celain pagoda. If you would learn of me, my unbecom¬ 
ing name is Mah-Jongg, and I earn my inoffensive rice 
by wandering over the roads lifting my voice in song or 
crying the beauties of my wares. Should you wish to 
inspect these two insignificant boxes, you will find them 
containing more luck than that of Buried Treasure. . . 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

It is not so much of your wares that I am occupied in my 
mind, but of your danger. 


MAH-JONGG 

[Rising.] 

What could be dangerous except the beauties of your dazzling 
self comparable only to the peacock’s tail in brilliance? 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

It is plain, unfortunate peddler of doomed wares, that you 
have wandered in through a breach in the Wall and do 
not know who I am nor where you are. Know, then, 
that he who comes into this garden is as a dead Tile after 
the play has begun. These are the Four Seasons, and 
until you break their chains your hand is not worth a 
silver tael, and your life is as an unfavorable Wind blow¬ 
ing in the wrong direction. Indeed, it is too obvious 
that you do not realize who I am nor where you are. I 
am the Princess Four-Flowers. 


MAH-JONGG 

The Princess Four-Flowers in a Row? Otherwise and often 
called the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea or the Plum 
Blossom on the Roof? 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

Alas! Yes. 

MAH-JONGG 

Oh, Fortune more favorable than the Four Winds of heaven 
all blowing at once, more potent than three Dragons 
breathing fire in unison, to have brought me to the over¬ 
whelming presence of One who is known as the Moon 
from the Bottom of the Sea. 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

Miserable Mah-Jongg. Cease your unthinking flow of ill- 
advised compliments. Your hours are numbered, and 
the shadow of the raven already falls on your tomb. 

MAH-JONGG 

If I must die, I could think of no better manner than to the 
requiem of your voice; but I should prefer to learn a 
reason for my so necessary demise. Proceed, Elegance. 


F OUR-FLOWERS 

The reason need not be buried in a well. Know, then, that 
the garden is as full of dangers as a scorpion vat. 


MAH-JONGG 

[ 19 ] 


I see none. 


FOUR-FLOWERS 


At present my guardians are away. Each morning they 
build a fresh Wall about the premises, and when that 
is complete there is no escape from the play of Destiny, 
and no break in the grinding wheel of Fortune. Un¬ 
happy Mah-Jongg, though you have an open face and 
a smooth hand and walk as though accustomed to a silk 
umbrella, I see that you hold not much of Honor, and 
know not your own Direction, and therefore you are 
lost. 

MAH-JONGG 

And yet I am in the very presence of the Princess Four- 
Flowers, and all Four Seasons seem blended into one 
in the full perfection of her countenance. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Check your presumptuous happiness before it engulfs you. 
Know that not only am I surrounded by a Wall, but 
that I am protected by Winds and Dragons of ungovern¬ 
able force, and that I have as my keepers innumerable 
slaves and Characters as thick as a forest of Bamboo. 

MAH-JONGG 

I will break the Wall and win you. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Think of the Winds. 

MAH-JONGG 

I will make them prevail against each other. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 
[ 20] 


And the Dragons. 


MAH-JONGG 

What is the very inadequate claw of a wholly superfluous 
dragon to a slice of the Moon from the Bottom of the 
Sea? 

FOUR-FLOWERS 


I admire your intrepidity, and will do all I can to help you. 
But what can you use against them? 


MAH-JONGG 

My wits.. .and these boxes. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

What is in them? 


Luck. 


MAH-JONGG 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

What can you do with it? 


MAH-JONGG 

When I have reached the point where I must gamble or lose 
all, I shall break one of these and follow its teachings. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Oh, I am taught by the most dreadful old creature called 
One Character. . .and I see him approaching now! 
He has finished superintending the building of the Wall, 
and is returning to give me my lessons. I am supposed 
to be proficient in all the Symbols, to know the sig¬ 
nificance of the ones and nines, and the entire history 
of the Minor and Major Three. Truly, I am very un¬ 
happy and long for a little Earthly Peace. 


MAH-JONGG 

You will see that I will secure it for you, though I am only 
a poor wanderer, a Loose Tile upon the earth; yet will 
I catch the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea. . . 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

The Dragons will eat you. 

MAH-JONGG 

They will find me tough in digestion. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Or if they do not, the Winds will blow you to pieces. This 
garden is ruled by East Wind, and he is twice as power¬ 
ful as any other creature. 

MAH-JONGG 

So will he pay double when Mah-Jongg wins. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Tremble. Here comes One Character. The Play has begun. 

[One Character comes hobbling back into the gar¬ 
den. Under his arm are nine rolls of paper .] 

MAH-JONGG 

I am ready for him. I do not fear Characters. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Oh, be careful! Remember there are eight others. See, he 
holds their scripts of power with him. 


ONE CHARACTER 


[At the edge of the garden.] 

The Wall is finished! The Wall is finished! The East Wind 
is blowing. Who defies the East Wind? 


I do. 


MAH-JONGG 


ONE CHARACTER 

What? 

[He comes towards Mah- Jongg , trembling with rage.] 
You dare defy the East Wind who is twice as strong as any 
other? You dare march into the Garden of the Seasons 
and Winds and Dragons and breathe the air that is 
scented by the Plum Blossom on the Roof? 


MAH-JONGG 

Chance is open to all. 


ONE CHARACTER 

You wretched sparrow! You unsolicited Loose Tile! You 
absolutely Dead Hand! 

[He shakes so with anger that he drops one of his 
rolls of paper. We see that it has a big Chinese 
character on it.] 


MAH-JONGG 

I am not a Dead Hand yet. Allow me to Pung what you 
discard. 

[He takes up the roll.] 


[23] 


Much good may it do you. I keep the others. 

[He turns to Four-Flowers.] 

Have you no respect for your Seasons that you indulge in 
idle chatter with a crimson-minded Barbarian who lacks 
a single matched Tile in his roof? Is it for nothing that 
you have learned the Characters, and the Bamboos 
grow in a forest about this garden while the paths are 
worn in Circles by your slaves? I will call the Dragons 
to destroy him. 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

Do not be angry with me. I was but curious to see what 
luck the Loose Tile brought with his wares. 

ONE CHARACTER 

Already one Season shakes. A Loose Tile often means the 
taking of a Season. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

But observe the graceful movement of his well-arranged eye¬ 
brows and the golden aspect of his closed hand. With 
him I could share rice and contentment by a ruined Wall. 


ONE CHARACTER 

May the principles of his warmth and cold never be adjusted; 
may he never put three of a kind together and his hand 
hold only Mixed Chows. . . 


FOUR-FLOWERS 
Cease your complicated disquietude. 


ONE CHARACTER 

Never! while the Wind blows in his Direction. I will call 
the Dragons! May they gnaw him to a bone! 

[In his anger he dashes another paper down to the 
ground.} 

MAH-JONGG 

Destiny has four feet, eight hands and sixteen eyes. Allow 
me again to Pung what you have discarded. 


ONE CHARACTER 

[Screaming.] 

Wretch, you have filled your hand with them! 


FIRST SEASON 

[In a clear voice.] 

He has completed a four of Characters and the First Season 
comes to the Loose Tile. 

[First Season drops the chain.] 


ONE CHARACTER 

May the overhanging roof of care always screen your brow. 
You have taken a Season! 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

My heart grows light with the promise of release. 

ONE CHARACTER 

[Calling.] 

Dragons! Dragons! Come quickly! Dragons! 

[He goes to her shrine and starts to pull the cur¬ 
tains about her.] 

I will draw your curtain so you will not see his death. 

[ 25 ] 


FOUR-FLOWERS 


No, No! He will not die! The game is not yet over. 

ONE CHARACTER 

He has as much chance of winning as catching the Moon from 
the Bottom of the Sea. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

But there is still the Plum Blossom on the Roof! 

[She takes a flower from her hair and flings it at 

M ah- Jongg.\ 

There is a Flower. . .and it is your own! 

MAH-JONGG 

The sun shines through your words and the moon adorns 
your utterances. Your light doubles my strength and 
the fullness of your illustrious outline is as a display of 
colored lanterns to my enraptured vision. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

For that you shall have another Flower, O fortunate Loose 
Tile! 

[She throws him another.} 

MAH-JONGG 

It is written that Four-Flowers make the Limit of Fortune. 

ONE CHARACTER 

It is written! It is written, but it never will be set to music. 
The Winds will blow your flower petals to nothing, and 
the Dragons will tear them with their claws. I will 

[26] 


hide the Princess from your sight and guard her with 
the Three Remaining Seasons. 

[He draws the curtains , and the Seasons stand in 
front of the Shrine.] 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

Ah! Rescue me! 

ONE CHARACTER 

What? With an Uncleared Hand and no Direction? Rescue 
you with no Honors and not even a knowledge of the 
Minor Three? The bats will roost in the tombs of his 
ancestors and the goats trample on his neglected corpse! 


Rescue me! 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

[Behind the curtains.] 


MAH-JONGG 

I will! Hear my unpainted word. I am Mah-Jongg! 


ONE CHARACTER 

Bah! The Dragons will settle you! I feel the earth shaking 
to their feet. Even I will not remain, so great will be 
their wrath when they see a Loose Tile in their path. 
Bah! 

[He throws a final manuscript at Mah-Jongg as 
he goes out.] 

MAH-JONGG 

[Picking up the roll , and tucking it with the 
others in his belt.] 

Kong! That makes an excellent hand of Characters. Again 
I Pung from you. 


ONE CHARACTER 
[Going out , shaking his fist and screaming .] 
Sparrow! Sparrow! May your life become stagnant like a 
pool in the sun, and your actions be as unavailing as a 
paper umbrella in a thunderstorm. Sparrow! Sparrow! 

[As One Character goes out the Dots come run¬ 
ning down through the wood , shouting.] 


DOTS 

Chow! Chow! Chow! Chow! The Dragons! The Drag¬ 
ons! Chow! 

[They run frantically across the garden as if 
pursued. There should be eight of them , but 
fewer will do. They are very small and dressed 
in faded colored smocks and trousers , each with 
a Dot mark on his back and front. They wear 
peaked straw hats , and each carries a big bright- 
colored wooden or paper circle nailed to the top 
of a stick and looking something like a garden¬ 
ing tool.] 

MAH-JONGG 

Here! Stop this precipitous effort towards a spontaneous 
exit! Stop! 

[He seizes One Dot by the ear. The others escape 
and run out of the garden or stand gibbering in a 
frightened circle at the back.] 

ONE DOT 

O most "sacred, illustrious and imposing Mandarin, release 
your hold on my unworthy ear. Do not Chow me! Do 
not Chow me! 


[28] 


MAH-JONGG 


I am not collecting Dots. Have no fear. 

ONE dot 

Let me go! The Dragons have broken through the wall. . . 
both the Red Dragon and the Green Dragon. . .and we 
poor little Dots are worth nothing! 

MAH-JONGG 

If I let you go, shall I meet a Dragon? 

ONE DOT 

Indeed, most Significant, they are coming from the Wall 
towards you even now. They breathe fire and smoke! 

MAH-JONGG 

Some people’s trout are ever salmon. 

ONE DOT 

But not these. The Red Dragon is only equalled in propor¬ 
tions by the Green Dragon, and both .together make 
Two Doubles. 

MAH-JONGG 

Speak. . .and that to the narrow edge! Of what are they 
afraid ? 

ONE DOT 

Nothing! Nothing! The Red Dragon and the Green Dragon 
are equalled by nothing. They are as strong as the 
Prevailing Wind. Nothing conquers them! 

[He breaks away from Mah-Jongg.] 


If you would live to be Mah-Jongg, Chow! Chow! Chow! 
while you can! 

[He joins the others. They all run out wailing 
“Chow! Chow! 99 ] 


MAH-JONGG 

Little weakling. Chow, indeed! Fish the Eye, I’ll do nothing 
of the sort. I’m no coward. I have taken from One 
Character. Now for the Dragons. 

[He assumes a valiant attitude and draws a sword 
from his belt.] 

[The head of little One Dot appears cautiously 
around the arbor. He calls out to Mah-Jongg.] 

ONE DOT 

Remember Dragons are most honorable and uncombatable. 
They have a thousand teeth and their position is any¬ 
where ! 


MAH-JONGG 

In spite of myself I begin to have a somewhat incapable feel¬ 
ing of no confidence in the innermost seat of my self¬ 
esteem. 

ONE DOT 

Think of his tree-like eyebrows and fiercely moving whiskers! 


MAH-JONGG 

Be still, wretched Dot. To be born is in the course of Nature, 
but to die is according to the decree of Destiny. I have 
my luck still to break against the Wall. 

[He takes one of his dice boxes and breaks it.] 


Look out that you don’t break your head! 
[He vanishes .] 


MAH-JONGG 

[Takes a long scroll out of the dice box. He reads.] 
The Counsel of Sages says that “the unseen is more powerful 
than the seen.” The unseen more powerful than the 
seen. What, then, Mah-Jongg, is more powerful than 
a Red Dragon and a Green Dragon? Nothing? No. 
Something that is at once nothing and yet something. 
If the unseen is more powerful than the seen...that 
which is more powerful than two visible Dragons. . . 
than a Red and a Green Dragon together... is two 
Invisible Dragons! Aha! I am Mah-Jongg! Make 
way for Mah-Jongg and his pair of Invisible Dragons! 

[He strides across the garden brandishing his 
sword , and practically runs into the Red and 
Green Dragons who have come down into the 
Garden through the wood. They are indeed ter¬ 
rifying creatures, with their Dragon's heads and 
long, knobby tails and scales of glistening armor 
plates. The Red Dragon is long and thin and 
vicious looking. The Green rather short and fat, 
but very powerful and stocky. Mah-Jongg rushes 
at them, shouting.] 

I am Mah-Jongg! What do I care for a Red and a Green 
Dragon together when I have two Invisible Dragons in 
my hand! 


RED DRAGON 


[Dodging him with a sinuous movement.] 
One moment, one moment, O too impetuous and rash! Do 
you know who I am? 


MAH-JONGG 

You are the Red Dragon! And I place you in the discard! 


GREEN DRAGON 


[Rumbling up.] 


But I am the Green Dragon. 


MAH-JONGG 

I discard you too! I have two Invisible Dragons! 


RED DRAGON 

Two Invisible Dragons! 


GREEN DRAGON 

Two Invisible Dragons! 

MAH-JONGG 

Yes. They are Demons and see through solid matter. But 
you cannot see through them. I hold them closed in 
my hand! I am as strong as the Nine United Sons. 
Beware! They have a thousand claws and their man¬ 
ners set all axioms at naught. They are anywhere and 
everywhere, and their bite means that Mah-Jongg 
conquers! 

GREEN DRAGON 

Do my indifferent ears lead my threadbare mind astray, or 
did he say two Invisible Dragons? 

[32] 


RED DRAGON 


Let us see them. If once I saw them, their next journey 
would be in an upward or a downward rather than in a 
sidewise direction! 

MAH-JONGG 

You’ll not see them, till I conquer. . .and then you will be 
as dead as a mixed Chow. You will never know when 
they will spring upon you with all their teeth and claws 
and double invisible strength, crying Mah-Jongg! and 
all will be over! 

[He digs the Red Dragon in the back with his 
sword. The Red Dragon springs into the air.] 

RED DRAGON 

By my scarlet and brimstone tail, what was that? 


MAH-JONGG 

The bite of an Invisible Dragon! 

[He pricks the Green Dragon.] 


GREEN DRAGON 

[Leaping in terror.] 


Something nipped behind me. 


MAH-JONGG 

Another Invisible Dragon! 


RED DRAGON 

[Thrashing about.] 

Let me at them. I’ll beat them to a pulp! I’ll force them to 
walk backwards in the direction of their ancestors! 


[33] 


GREEN DRAGON 


If I could once see the iridescence of their eyes, I’d dig them 
out with^my claws! 

MAH-JONGG 

There’s an Invisible Dragon between you now! 

RED DRAGON 

Whoof! The Red Dragon will eat him! 

GREEN DRAGON 

Pung! Chow! Pung! He is the Green Dragon’s meat! 

[They spring forward, and of course fall on each 
other.] 

MAH-JONGG 

[Dancing about and pricking them both with his 
sword.] 

Pung! Pung! Pung! Feel the claws of the Invisible Drag¬ 
ons! They are doubly stronger than a Red and a Green 
together. Pung! Pung! 

RED DRAGON 

Out of my way while I fight the Invisible Dragon! 

[He claws the Green Dragon.] 

GREEN DRAGON 

I feel him biting me! Out of my way! 

[He claws the other.] 

[34] 


MAH-JONGG 


Thus thrusts the Invisible Dragon! 

[He runs his sword into the back of the Red 
Dragon.] 


RED DRAGON 

Oh, may his path be flattened before him and run over the 
edge of a precipice! I am done! 

[He falls.] 

MAH-JONGG 

Thus thrusts the Other Invisible Dragon! 

[He runs the Green Dragon through.] 

GREEN DRAGON 

By the Great Major Three, a Nine is called on me. I am in 
the discard. 

[He falls.] 


MAH-JONGG 

[Standing over them.] 

Both in the discard! And a tombstone is lifted from this 
person’s mind by their demise. May Heavenly Peace 
descend on them. Now that their spirits have arisen I 
should say that I had four Invisible Dragons as com¬ 
panions instead of two. Four Invisible Dragons! 
Kong! That should bring me some Honor and Double 
Strength! May the Winds blow away the ashes of these 
departed ones and be favorable to me. 

[Four little Dots come out and drag away the 
Dragons. Note. — If more characters are de¬ 
sired , it would be quite amusing to have the four 


Invisible Dragons represented as Four Little 
Dragons in white , seen only by Mah-Jongg and 
not by the others.] 

SECOND SEASON 

[Clearly.] 

Four Invisible Dragons on the Table. O Fortunate Loose 
Tile! Another Season drops from the Wall into your 
hand. 

[Second Season drops the chain , and as it does so 
the curtain pulls back , and we again see the Prin¬ 
cess. She is smiling at Mah-Jongg.] 

MAH-JONGG 

[Prostrating himself.] 

O gracious Season of Golden Flowers, to permit me again a 
glimpse of One who is the Plum Blossom on the Roof of 
my heart and transcends all Major and Minor Quad¬ 
ruple Joys. 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

O marvelous Mah-Jongg, to have slain the Dragons and 
have drawn a Season. Behold the Third Flower of my 
favor. 

[She throws the Third Flower from her hair.] 
MAH-JONGG 

[Prostrate.] 

O Triply Doubled Fortunate Hand of Mah-Jongg! 

[During this the Bamboos come running on.] 

BAMBOOS 

Bamboo! Bamboo! The Flowers are falling! Bamboo! 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

Beware! The Bamboos are the Gardeners. Their anger will 
be so great when they see the Seasons turn and the Flow¬ 
ers fall. Oh, the Plum Blossom on the Roof trembles! 
[She hides her face in her hands.] 


MAH-JONGG 

I will protect you from their sight. 

[He draws the curtains of her shrine and stands 
with his hack to them facing the Bamboos who are 
circling the Garden , crying “ Bamboo ! The Four- 
Flowers are falling ! Bamboo /”] 


FOUR-FLOWERS 

[From a crack in the curtains.] 

O clever Mah-Jongg! If you could only capture the tall rod 
of Two Bamboo. With that you might indeed fish the 
Moon from the Bottom of the Sea. 


MAH-JONGG 


[In a loud voice.] 


I discard Two Bamboo! 

[The Bamboos instantly surround him at these 
words. They are headed by Two Bamboo , a tall 
slim person in green with a flat , green hat. He 
carries in his hand a bamboo staff with a sprout 
of green leaf like a thin flag at the top. The other 
Bamboos are like him only smaller. Two carry 
a wicker cage between them on a bamboo stick , 
and in the cage is a fantastic wooden bird.] 


[37] 


TWO BAMBOO 


Who are you who discards Bamboo? 


MAH-JONGG 

I am Mah-Jongg. I have plucked Three of the Four Flowers, 
and soon I will have the Plum Blossom from the Roof! 

TWO BAMBOO 

Bamboos, surround him! 

[To Mah-Jongg.] 

Your heart is fat with presumptuous pride. Know, wretched 
Loose Tile, that I, Two Bamboo, the gardener, am nine 
strong with my henchmen, and before you pluck the 
Plum Blossom from the Roof, whose root I myself 
planted, each and every one of us will have to go down 
as a reed before a storm, and the voice of the Bird One 
Bamboo be strangled in his throat. How can you pre¬ 
vail with an Open Hand against Nine Bamboos? 

[The Bamboos surround Mah-Jongg .] 


BAMBOOS 

Bamboo! Bamboo! You shall never pluck the Plum Blos¬ 
som from the Roof. We, the Bamboos, make a forest 
against it! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, 
nine, Bamboo! 

[They continue the counting , sotto voce.] 
MAH-JONGG 

Cease! Cease! My head whirls. Even a silver trumpet may 
not prevail against a score of brazen horns. 

[ 38 ] 


TWO BAMBOO 


I am the ruler of the Seasons. I am the Gardener in the land 
of the Princess Four-Flowers. I am Bamboo. 


MAH-JONGG 

Let me speak! Let me speak! 

TWO BAMBOO 

Cease rustling, Bamboos. 

[They stop.} 

MAH-JONGG 

[Bowing.} 

Most auspicious and fertile Gardener and holder of Flowers 
and Seasons. I see that you have there in a wicker cage 
a bird of iridescent eye and prodigious tail. Surely your 
heart must be softened and your mind enlarged by the 
keeping of so amiable a household pet. 

TWO BAMBOO 

That is the Bird One Bamboo, and the Badge of our office. 

MAH-JONGG 

I, myself, by profession, am a singer of imagined ballads, and 
to this end I spread my mat wherever my uplifted voice 
can entice together those to listen. Should my feeble 
efforts be deemed worthy of reward . . . but will you 
not permit me to sing for you and judge for yourself 
whether I am not worthy of the Plum Blossom from the 
Roof? 


[39] 


TWO BAMBOO 


That argument is not so simple as to lie contained within the 
hollow of a bamboo sheath. But if you sing so that our 
Bird One Bamboo answers you in approval, your life will 
be spared and we will give you the Bird as a present. 


MAH-JONGG 

Your generosity is more than overwhelming. Your Bird is 
of a perfection far too potent for one of my humble pre¬ 
tensions. I will sing for you, but I fear I must reject the 
Bird. I am collecting objects of a different sort. 


TWO BAMBOO 

Sing; that will be decided later ... as the hands fall. 


[. Mah-Jongg sings.\ 

SONG: The Seasons and the Flowers. 


Music No. 3. 


MAH-JONGG 


I 

The Seasons and the Flow’rs 
Blow down the Winds away, 
The swiftly moving hours 

Each brings new games to play. 


[40] 


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II 


The Bamboo shadows lengthen, 

The Bird is stilled in sleep; 

My Hand I cannot strengthen, 

Lest I my Honor keep. 

III 

The Flowers and the Seasons 
Drift light across the Wall; 

Pung, Chow, what are the reasons 
Why I should heed your call? 

IV 

My Wall, strong Bamboos make it, 
Two Dragons guard the gate, 

My Season, I must take it, 

Before it is too late. 

V 

The Seasons and the Flow’rs 
Are never marked the same. 

Will it be many hours 
Before I end the Game? 


[41] 


[After Mah-Jongg has finished his song the Bird 
gives a piercing squeak. Instantly all but Two 
Bamboo prostrate themselves.] 

BAMBOOS 

[Prostrated.] 

The Bird sings! The Bird One Bamboo sings! 

TWO BAMBOO 

Most complete Loose Tile. 

[He bows low.] 

I see that the Major and the Minor Three are but gilly¬ 
flowers growing in your path. Your voice is more mus¬ 
ical than that of the red-legged crane in nesting time, 
and to touch the extremity of your incomparable pigtail 
would repay all earthly fatigue. Allow me to offer you 
the Bird One Bamboo. 

[With great ceremony he lifts the cage and offers 
it to Mah-Jongg.] 

BAMBOOS 

[In chorus.] 

Allow us to offer you the Bird One Bamboo. We discard the 
Bird One Bamboo. 

MAH-JONGG 

Most excellent Bamboo. I realize that the Bird One Bamboo 
would be the rainbow of my prosaic existence and 
belongs with the Thirteen Unique Wonders. The gong¬ 
like clash of your spontaneous enthusiasm for my in¬ 
competent voice fills my heart with a Limit Hand. 
But I cannot collect the Bird One Bamboo. I must 
decline. 

[42] 


TWO BAMBOO 


What! O living exponent of profuse incompetence! O 
brazen-tongued and paper-rooted! You refuse Bird One 
Bamboo! 

MAH-JONGG 

I must. I have no use for it. 

BAMBOOS 

[In chorus.] 

He refuses Bird One Bamboo. Oh! Oh! Oh! He refuses 
Bird One Bamboo! 

TWO BAMBOO 

[Threateningly.] 

Do not get entangled among my advancing footsteps, 
immature one! Speak! And if your voice casts a rea¬ 
sonable shadow, we may regard your tongue as an 
outstretched olive branch. Otherwise... beware the 
Bamboos! 

BAMBOOS 

[In chorus.] 

Beware the Bamboos! One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, 
eight, nine, Bamboo! 

[They manoeuvre about , pointing their bamboo 
sticks as levelled lances at Mah - Jongg.] 

MAH-JONGG 

I cannot set an iron screen between my ambition and its ful¬ 
fillment. The voice of the Bird One Bamboo would be¬ 
tray me wherever I went as one who aspired to character 
but who had stopped to chow with Bamboo on the way; 
and I desire to procure the Four-Flowers and the Moon 
from the Bottom of the Sea. 

[43] 


TWO BAMBOO 


Miserable Mah-Jongg, as you most unsuitably call yourself, 
know that the Bamboos will be too much for you. 
Wherever you turn, observe the fierceness of their 
pointed lances. Whenever you draw, Fate will send you 
a Bamboo to ruin your hand! Beware! Beware! 


BAMBOOS 

[In chorus.] 

Beware! Beware! Bamboo! Bamboo! We are coming! 
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, Bam¬ 
boo! 

[They rush at Mah-Jongg who tries to fight them 

off-] 

MAH-JONGG 

Help! Help! 


TWO BAMBOO 

The Bamboos will swamp you! We will bury you in our 
jungle. We, the Bamboos, tumble off the Wall and into 
your face! 


MAH-JONGG 

Help! Help! O Winds, blow them away! Oh, where is the 
favorable Wind to tear down this jungle in the track of 
its cyclone! O Fate, come to my rescue! 

[He breaks the other dice box , and pulls out a 
scroll of paper with the mark of the South Wind 
on it. He reads it with a triumphant shout.] 
South Wind! South Wind! I have drawn a South Wind and 
it is my own! 


[44] 


BAMBOOS 


[Hesitating; their attack broken.] 
Woe! Woe! He has drawn a South Wind! He can discard 
us! 

[As Mah-Jongg broke the dice , South Wind ap¬ 
pears in the arbor. She is very tall and slim and 
dark , draped in misty green-grey cloudy veils , and 
her dark hair hung with poppies. She has a 
lovely pale oval face with a red mouth and slum¬ 
berous eyes. She moves with a slow grace , almost 
seeming to drift across the grass.] 

SOUTH WIND 

[In a slow , sleepy , yet clear and lovely voice.] 
Who calls upon the South Wind? 

BAMBOOS 

Run! Run! The South Wind! The South Wind! It pre¬ 
vails! The Bamboos break before the South Wind! 
Woe! Woe! Woe! 

[They run off.] 


SOUTH WIND 


[Advancing.] 

I, the South Wind, come to assist Mah-Jongg. 


TWO BAMBOO 

[Who has stayed to gather up his Bird.] 
Beware the East, the West and the North Winds! 

[He throws his spear at Mah-Jongg. South Wind 
catches it .] 


[45] 


SOUTH WIND 


I am his Own Wind, and can blow down any Bamboo. 

TWO BAMBOO 

Beware the East Wind! It is cold! It is chill! However 
high the tree the shortest axe can reach its trunk. Be¬ 
ware the East Wind! I feel it blowing now! 

[He goes out with his Bird.] 

MAH-JONGG 

O most glorious South Wind! By the Sanctity of Four upon 
Four, you are more beautiful than the Season of White 
Rain side by side with the Season of Lilies, and the 
scented breath from your garments overcomes my un¬ 
balanced brain. With your coming the Four Blessings 
Hover over the Door. Allow me to prostrate myself, 
Goddess. 

SOUTH WIND 

Do not breathe upon the surface of your self-repose, O 
Loose Tile! I am only your Favoring Wind and not the 
prevailing one. East Wind prevails, and you must 
make ready for the battle to the death against him. 

MAH-JONGG 

East Wind? 

SOUTH WIND 

Even so. And his adherents, North and West Winds, will be 
against you also. But most of all, East Wind. He is 
twice as powerful as any other Wind. The Moon from 
the Bottom of the Sea wanes in his grasp, and the Plum 
Blossom on the Roof withers and fades. Beware the 
East Wind! 


[46] 


What am I to do? 


MAH-JONGG 


SOUTH WIND 

He is desperate and will do anything to kill Mah-Jongg. He 
knows by now that there is some one in his garden who 
has broken the wall, Punged from One Character, slain 
the Red and Green Dragons by holding in his hand two 
Invisible Dragons, and now, assisted by me, his Favor¬ 
ing Wind, is a dangerous enemy. Mah-Jongg, he will 
kill you at any cost. He will slay his pride and Mix 
his Hand rather than have you pluck the Plum Blossom 
from the Roof. 

MAH-JONGG 

O most life-giving South Wind! Let me entice you into 
further loquacity. Already I feel the chill of the East 
Wind creeping up my spine. What shall I do? 

SOUTH WIND 

[Shivering.] 

I, too, feel the cold of invisible fingers. East Wind comes ... 

MAH-JONGG 

Help me, most Melodious Vision. 

SOUTH WIND 

I am your Wind. I will do my best. Hide, therefore, in the 
bushes, and as I am a Sister Wind I doubt not they come 
here to seek me now. I will assume an attitude of sym¬ 
pathetic unconcern, and at the same time lead them on 
to blow crosswise among themselves. One wind makes 
a hurricane, but four winds blowing upon themselves 
make a vacuum. I will lead their tongues astray and 


mix their Honors. While they expend their breath upon 
each other you may yet pluck the Plum Blossom from 
the Roof blown down by the over-vigorousness of their 
windiness. 

MAH-JONGG 

I claim the protection of your benignant shadow. I am your 
slave. 

SOUTH WIND 

They come. I hear the voice of their blowing and wrangling 
even from here. He who considers everything decides 
nothing. East Wind will blow himself to pieces. Re¬ 
treat! Retreat! And watch for the falling of the Plum 
Blossom from the Roof. 

[Mah-Jongg goes into the bushes as the Winds 
come on through the arbor. Each Wind is at¬ 
tended by a little Dot who carries an umbrella 
over his head. The umbrella is twirled continu¬ 
ously as if by a strong breeze. The Winds are 
dressed very gorgeously. West Wind is a little 
pointed-faced woman with an elaborate head¬ 
dress , and an embroidered robe with the insignia 
of West Wind on it. North Wind is an old man 
of stately appearance with snow-white beard. His 
robes are white with a silver sign of the North 
Wind. He wears a round white Mandarin hat 
with silver tassel. East Wind is far more gor¬ 
geous than either of the others , and instead of a 
parasol he could have a sort of palanquin carried 
by four Dots. He is a yellow-faced , vicious in¬ 
dividualwith drooping grey mustachios and 
darting , suspicious black eyes under fierce eye¬ 
brows. He wears a yellow-green robe and round 
Mandarin hat with a crimson tassel. He is 
hung with jewels and his fingers loaded with 

[48] 


rings. But he appears very nervous and fidgety 
and plays continuously and nervously with his 
fan. As they come we hear their voices in high 
altercation , dominated by the grating tones of 
East Wind.] 

EAST WIND 

[In the arbor , against an indefinite clamor of the 
others.] 

I am East Wind! Who dares defy me? I will do as I please 
and blow as I please. I am East Wind! 

SOUTH WIND 

[To Mah-Jongg in the bushes.] 

Hide your head, or the clamor of their blowing will tear off 
your hair. But already they shift against each other, 
and the weathercock is dizzy with fatigue. 

EAST WIND 

[Standing at the arbor.] 

I am East Wind! Who else is in my garden? I rule here! I 
will not be thwarted, I say! Where is the Loose Tile 
who calls himself Mah-Jongg? Let me tear him to 
pieces! Where is he? 

[He turns fiercely to West Wind , who cringes.] 

You said he was here! 

[He swings on North Wind.] 

You uttered that he was present! Let me get my fangs in 
him! He shall pay double! 

WEST WIND 

[Fluttering.] 

Be careful how you blow too hard and give yourself away. 


NORTH WIND 


Remember your importance, your danger, your position and 
your peril, 0 East Wind! 

EAST WIND 

Remember! Remember! Could I ever forget! My moments 
are as gnats that sting me. My fears are as sands that 
grind in my ear. I am desperate. Oh, those who are 
born great suffer greatly! At any moment the Plum 
Blossom from the Roof may fall into the hands of the 
Marauder and then it will be I — I who pay! 

[He almost collapses.] 

WEST WIND 

[Supporting him on one side.] 

Why not gather the Bamboos about you? 

NORTH WIND 

I should recommend Characters. 

WEST WIND 

Why not Dots? 

NORTH WIND 

Or put your faith in Dragons? 

EAST WIND 

Oh! Oh! My head swims! And the Dragons have deserted 
me! The Wall grows weaker and weaker, and the day of 
doom nearer and nearer. Oh, let me see him that I may 
blow him to atoms! Let me have him mixed as a fine 
powder in my tea! Let me have him torn by contending 
Bamboo birds! 

[ s°] 


SOUTH WIND 


[Approaching gracefully.] 

O Great and Doubly Powerful East Wind, your enlightened 
patronage is a continual nourishment to the soil of my 
imagination. Does something trouble you? 

EAST WIND 

Something! The foundations of trouble vibrate like the 
strings of a many-toned lute! Mah-Jongg threatens the 
Garden! He has sworn to carry away the Moon from 
the Bottom of the Sea and the Plum Blossom from the 
Roof. East Wind will be a void and his Counters van¬ 
ish! Bring me the Moon and the Plum Blossom! I’ll 
drown them and hang them before Mah-Jongg gets them! 

SOUTH WIND 

O most inhuman! 

WEST WIND 

Consider, East Wind, you may not know all. A tale half told 
is the father of many lies. . . 

EAST WIND 

The game will be over when She is drowned with the Moon 
at the Bottom of the Sea, and the Plum Blossom in her 
hair. Oh, rather a draw with no score than this agoniz¬ 
ing suspense! Ah! 

[He sees the shrine with the Seasons who have 
loosed their chains.] 

Two Seasons have been broken! Their chains are loosed! 

SOUTH 

Every rope has two ends. 

[SI 


WIND 


EAST WIND 


Peace, traitorous female. A subtle woman will cause more 
trouble than twelve armed men can quell. I am East 
Wind, and women are to me as leaves to be blown. 

[His hand is on the curtain.] 

NORTH WIND 

Propriety sits beneath your supple tongue. Truth adorns 
your lips and accuracy annoints your palate. 

SOUTH WIND 

Beware the Season that is blown down with the Winds. 

WEST WIND 

[Fanning herself.] 

Do not adjust your sandals while passing through a melon 
field, nor yet arrange your hat beneath an orange tree. 

NORTH WIND 

Remember the counsel of the Sages. . . 

EAST WIND 

Even the classics become obscure in the dark. I know not 
where my enemies are. I am desperate. Mah-Jongg! 
Mah-Jonggl At any cost! 

[He draws the curtain and starts hack in horror.] 

Three Flowers have fallen from her hair! I will discard my¬ 
self rather than have the Fourth fall! I will blow her 
to pieces so that the petals will only fall into my hands. 

[He stands before the shrine , with hands upraised 
in malediction.] 

ts^] 


Beware the Season that is blown down with the Winds 













































































SOUTH WIND 


Turn your attention to the Plum Blossom from the Roof. 
It trembles while your eyes are elsewhere. 

EAST WIND 

Peace! The advice of a woman will ruin a walled city. 


WEST WIND 

If the Plum Blossom falls while you blow in an opposite 
direction, we are ruined! 

EAST WIND 

It is easier to rule a kingdom than control one’s own thoughts. 
Bring me this Plum Blossom also! 

NORTH WIND 

Be cautious. 

WEST WIND 

Remember the dangers of falling Seasons and Loose Tiles. 


EAST WIND 

I will blow the whole Garden to pieces. . .and the Princess 
with it! 

SOUTH WIND 

The Plum Blossom from the Roof is not in her hair. Do you 
consider it safe where it hangs? 

EAST WIND 

Fetch it to me that I may blow it to pieces! 

[S3] 


WEST WIND 


Do not attempt to escape from a flood by clinging to a tiger’s 
tail. This is the extremity of rashness! 

NORTH WIND 

There are times when our venerable tongue is strangely in¬ 
adequate to express emotion. He who believes in gam¬ 
bling will live to sell his sandals! 


EAST WIND 

Fetch me that Plum Blossom! 


DOT 

[Prostrates himself.] 

O most honorable and Double East Wind, I am only a 
Dot; I dare not. 


North Wind. .. 


EAST WIND 


NORTH WIND 

[.Drawing himself up.] 

I am not your Slave. I am an Honor. 

SOUTH WIND 

0 most courageous, enterprising and astonishing East Wind, 
the Plum Blossom from the Roof should be blown down 
by all the Winds contending together. Then the East 
Wind, proving that he is doubly strong, would find the 
disputed flower within his compelling hands. 

[ 54 ] 


NORTH WIND 


South Wind, your harmonious ear corrects the deficiencies of 
my afflicted style. That was what I wished to convey. 

WEST WIND 

Haply his feet may become entangled in a mesh of hair.. . 
SOUTH WIND 

I am also a Wind. I will assist. 

EAST WIND 

You have the patronage of my extended hand. 

SOUTH WIND 

You first, 0 North and West and East... 

[They turn.] 

South Wind will follow. 

WEST WIND 

Blow, East Wind! 

[She puffs out her cheeks and blows as she runs 
towards the arbor.] 

NORTH WIND 

Blow, East Wind! 

[He does likewise.] 

EAST WIND 

I will blow down the Plum Blossom from the Roof. I will 
tear through the other Winds like a firework through 
an assembly of turtles. I am East Wind! I blow! 

[He rushes madly about under the Plum Blossom 
on the arbor , blowing , his attendant Dot after 
him. All the Winds swirl about , blowing and 
shouting.] 

tssi 


Blow! Blow! 


SOUTH WIND 


[She stays down stage and waves them always 
toward the arbor.} 

Blow, Winds, blow! The Dragons are dead and the Winds 
contend one with the other! Mah-Jongg is at the gates 
of the Wall! Behold two Seasons have fallen and the 
Third trembles. Blow! It is the Season of the Winds 
and Scarlet Foliage that trembles! Blow that it may 
fall! 

[Mah-Jongg comes out of the bushes.] 

THIRD SEASON 

[Lets fall its chain.] 

Behold! The Third Season falls into the hand of Mah-Jongg, 
for the Winds contend one with the other and know not 
which way they blow. 

SOUTH WIND 

O fortunate Mah-Jongg! Now is your opportunity. Fish 
the Eye while you can, Mah-Jongg. The Winds are 
blowing themselves to pieces, and while they blow you 
can catch the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea. 

[She gives him the spear of One Bamboo. It has 
a hook on its tip.] 

Blow, Winds, blow! And while they blow the quiet duck 
will put his foot on the unobservant worm! 

[She dances about screening Mah-Jongg from the 
Winds , who are jumping and twirling and blow¬ 
ing in the background .] 

Blow! Do not wait for the rice to grow about your ankles! 
Fish the Eye! Fish the Eye! And the Moon from the 
Bottom of the Sea will be yours! With the Moon is the 

[56] 


Key to unlock the last chain of the Princess, and Mah- 
Jongg will win! Quick! Quick! Fish the Eye before 
East Wind turns! 

[Mah-Jongg takes the bamboo rod and throws it 
into the pool as she speaks.] 

MAH-JONGG 

May the Great Major Three of One Hundred Intelligences 
and the Symbols Four upon Four aid my Luck! 

[With a jerk he brings up the Moon attached to 
his hook. It is a round disk that glitters in the 
sun. He handles it as if it were a great flat fish.\ 

SOUTH WIND 

Behold the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea! 

FOURTH SEASON 

Behold the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea fished up by 
Mah-Jongg. He has a Limit Hand, and the Power of 
the Fourth Season is broken. Mah-Jongg wins! 

[It loosens its chain.] 

SOUTH WIND 

Behold the Fourth Season has fallen! 

MAH-JONGG 

O most felicitous Vision! 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

You have saved me from being blown to pieces. The Moon 
from the Bottom of the Sea is yours, and the light it 
sheds on your countenance is so pleasing to me that I 
drop my Fourth Flower into your hand. 


MAH-J ONGG 


0 Most Perfect and Complete One! Is it possible that at 
last I draw you from the Wall? 

[He assists the Princess from her shrine.] 

FOUR-FLOWERS 

I am yours, and my Four Seasons smile on you. No one can 
take me from you, for you will guard me with the Wis¬ 
dom of your Characters, the protection of your Wind, 
and the strength of your four Invisible Dragons. Great 
and to the Highest Limit is Mah-Jongg! And the Sea¬ 
sons and Four-Flowers are his, together with double gold 
from the perfidious and vanquished East Wind. 


MAH-JONGG 

What is precious metal after listening to the pure gold of thy 
lips, and who shall esteem gems after gazing on the full, 
round radiance of thy Moon-like countenance? 


Mah-Jongg! 


FOUR-FLOWERS 
[She prostrates herself.] 


Mah-Jongg! 


SEASONS 

[Coming forward in attitudes of worship.] 


MAH-JONGG 


Mah-Jongg! 


[In triumph , raising the Princess .] 

[The Winds hear this , and , turning , rush towards 
him. The East Wind holds the Plum Blossom 
which just that moment has fallen from the roof.] 


Mah-Jongg! 


winds 


Yes. Mah-Jongg! 


MAH-JONGG 


WINDS 


[Confused and breathless.] 
The Plum Blossom has fallen from the roof! 


I am Mah-Jongg! 


Prove it! I am East Wind! 


MAH-JONGG 

EAST WIND 

[Very shaken and winded.] 


SOUTH WIND 

Prove it and many taels of silver will glide from East Wind 
into your awaiting sleeve. 

MAH-JONGG 

I have caught the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea, and she 
is mine with her Four-Flowers. 

EAST WIND 

O miserable frog! O Loose Tile, who has stolen my Buried 
Treasure, Scratched the Four on me and ruined all 
Earthly Peace! 

[He drops the Plum Blossom.] 


MAH-JONGG 

And also takes the Plum Blossom from the Roof. Can you 
blow it away from me ? 

[S9l 


EAST WIND 


[Gasping] 

My wind is spent. I have no more power. 


MAH-JONGG 

Observe, then, my Characters. . . 

[He throws down his scrolls] 

My own Wind. . . 

[This is South] 

and my four Invisible Dragons, to say nothing of the 
Moon from the Bottom of the Sea and her Four-Flowers. 
Am I not Mah-Jongg the Great? 


ALL 


Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 


[Bowing] 


MAH-JONGG 

East Wind pays me. 

[He advances , and East Wind counts out silver 
into his hand] 


EAST WIND 

O most complete and entire Mah-Jongg, the Garden and the 
Game are yours. You have shown me that the quiet 
mole can instruct the philosopher in digging, and that 
all is not favorable that calls itself East Wind. In 
shallow water Dragons become the laughing stock of 
shrimps. We will prepare the feast for Mah-Jongg, with 
little jars of gold-fish gills. . . 

WEST WIND 

And small serpents preserved in oil.. . 

[60] 


NORTH WIND 


And many eggs branded with the assurance that they have 
been earth-buried eleven years. . . 

SOUTH WIND 

While Mah-Jongg will sit in the radiance of the Moon from 
the Bottom of the Sea, smell the Plum Blossom from the 
Roof, and be blown upon by the South Wind. 

MAH-JONGG 

O felicitous Mah-Jongg! What a remarkably interesting and 
profitable Game it is. 


ALL 

[In attitudes .] 

O felicitous Mah-Jongg! O Incomparable Mah-Jongg! 

[They bow.] 

EAST WIND 

We will waste not a moment in going forward to instruct the 
world in how altogether perfect is Mah-Jongg! 

[They all form a sort of procession , and go out 
through the audience , Mah-Jongg , with Four- 
Flowers, leading. South Wind comes next and 
then the others. Mah-Jongg sings as he did on 
entering.] 

Music No. 2 ( a and b) 

Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 

Who buys my wares, plasters the crannies of his Wall with 
luck! 


[ 61 ] 


Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 

Who takes from my basket, provides for himself a Heavenly 
Peace! 

Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 

Who seizes what I proffer, can overcome the Thirteen Odds! 
Mah-Jongg! Mah-Jongg! 

[They all take up the song as they go out slowly.] 


End of the Play 


[62] 


SUGGESTIONS FOR COSTUMING 

Note. — It is desirable in costuming this play to preserve a certain uni¬ 
formity. Do not use elaborate costumes for some of the characters and 
cheap materials for others. 

The front panels with the Mah-Jongg symbols should all be of the same 
material with no exception, except the Winds. The designs of a good Chi¬ 
nese Mah-Jongg set should be followed in these to the least detail of color 
and proportion. They cannot be improved upon. A good material to use 
for these panels is cream-colored paper muslin, but it must not be allowed 
to wrinkle. The designs are better painted than cut from paper, as paper 
crackles and tears. Brilliant colors should be used, and if poster paints are 
used, mixed with white of egg, they will not sink into the cloth. 

Prologue 

The Prologue wears ceremonially embroidered Chinese robes, and round 
scarlet Mandarin hat with tassel. 

The four Mah-Jongg Mandarins also wear embroidered robes, and black 
satin Mandarin hats with scarlet buttons of rank. The make-up is 
straight Chinese. They should be persons of height and dignity. 

Mah-Jongg 

Tall, with brown Chinese make-up; long black queue (made of black cloth 
cut in strips and braided). 

Peaked straw Chinese sun hat. 

Full, deep yellow coat, knee length, with long full sleeves. This may be 
elaborated somewhat by black and green Chinese designs or by green 
sleeves, but the whole thing should be kept very simple. 

Blue trousers. 

Wooden, sharp-pointed sword hung by scarlet cord from waist. 

Bare feet or sandals. 

Green and scarlet tray slung over the shoulder by green and scarlet ribbons. 
On the tray are dice boxes of cardboard, six inches square, each con¬ 
taining a roll of manuscript with Chinese characters in black ink. 

(It may be more practicable to have a flat Chinese basket rather than a 
tray.) 


[63] 


Princess Four-Flowers 

High, elaborate coiffure of smooth black hair, surmounted, if becoming, by 
a round silver moon disc and four moderate-sized artificial Chinese 
flowers, preferably lotus, of scarlet and yellow. Flowers pinned in by 
gold pins. Earrings of jewels or gold. This headdress can also be 
made in a conventional Chinese pattern of cardboard, gilded, and have 
long tassels on each side. 

Heavily embroidered short Chinese coat; skirt or trousers to match. Em¬ 
broidered slippers. Appropriate Chinese necklaces, bangles, anklets, 
etc. 

Elaborate Chinese make-up, with rice powder and very red lips. 

If an embroidered costume is not procurable, a costume of coat and trousers 
of scarlet or blue silk with round Chinese designs painted in gold and 
silver will do. 

Elaborately embroidered or peacock fan. 

First Season — the Season of Young Green Rice 

Stiff, conventionalized headdress of gold (buckram or cardboard), with 
green painted points and green leaf design either painted or of paper. 
Gold earrings or green. Green or gold necklace. 

Loose knee-length kimono-sleeved coat of pale green. 

Trousers of darker green, loose to ankles. 

If desired, over-draperies on shoulders, and sleeves of darker green thin 
material; pointed ends or butterfly design on sleeves. Drapes could 
also be made of a series of very narrow strips like long grass blades. 

Yellow or green shoes on yellow or green wooden blocks. 

Over-panel from shoulder to knee of cream linen painted to represent the 
Number One Season of a Mah-Jongg set. 

Second Season — the Season of Golden Flowers 

Stiff, gold, conventionalized headdress, with design of yellow, orange or gold 
flowers, either painted or made of paper. 

Gold earrings and necklace. 

Loose coat of deep Chinese gold color. Trousers of same. 

If desired, Chinese design of gold or yellow flowers on sleeves. 

Over-panel from shoulder to knee of cream linen painted as the tile of the 
Second Season in a Mah-Jongg set. 

Gold shoes on gold or yellow wooden blocks. 


!6 4 ] 


Third Season — The Season of Scarlet Foliage 

Stiff headdress of gold covered with design of scarlet and yellow leaves, 
either painted or of paper. 

Gold grape earrings. Gold necklace. 

Loose coat of scarlet. Trousers of same. 

If desired, over-draperies on shoulders, and sleeves of very thin scarlet 
material cut into long points. 

Scarlet shoes on yellow wooden blocks. 

Cream linen knee-length panel painted as Number Three Season. 


Fourth Season — the Season of White Rain 

Headdress of stiff silver with snow-crystal design in white tracery, and 
crystals and silver hanging from the points. 

Silver earrings and crystal or silver necklace. 

Loose coat of very pale gray. Trousers of same. 

Silver or white shoes on silver or white wooden blocks. 

If desired, long trails of crystal and silver over arms and shoulders; white 
snow-sparkle on shoulders. 

Over-panel knee length of cream linen painted as Number Four Season in a 
Mah-Jongg set. It is more effective in this case not to follow the 
exact coloring, but paint the design in white and blue and gray outlined 
in silver. 

The length of costume and height of headdress of all the Seasons should be 
exactly the same. The actors should be tall and of the same height, 
and the costume material as nearly the same as possible in different 
colors. The headdresses should be made of the same material, and, 
though differing slightly in outline, should have the same general con¬ 
tour, and be either painted or decorated with paper flowers in the same 
manner. 

The make-up of the Seasons is that of a porcelain Chinese idol, with vivid 
coloring and long wing eyebrows. 

The Seasons could each carry a symbol cut from bristol board or thin wood. 
The First may be conventionalized thin green grass blades; the Second , 
conventionalized golden flowers; the Third , conventionalized scarlet 
leaves; the Fourth , may carry a round white and silver ball. 

The costumes need not necessarily be expensive, buckram serving very well, 
gilded or silvered, for headdresses, and sateen of soft colors for the 
dresses. Cream paper-muslin painted as in all the Tiles makes the 
over-panel. The wooden shoe blocks are not indispensable, but the 
shoes must be flat sandals. 


Green and Red Dragons 

The Green Dragon costume should be of two colors of green scales; crest 
and head of same. 

Stiff dragon head made of cardboard, buckram or cloth, stuffed, with arti¬ 
ficial eyes of white and red; yellow or green snout with long white 
teeth and pointed red tongue; high crest of green spikes. This head 
is not so difficult to contrive as it sounds. Often artificial heads of 
other animals more easily procurable can be made into splendid dragon 
heads with the aid of a little paint and additional cardboard or stuffed 
cloth. 

The Dragon costume can be made as a knee-length tunic, with long tight 
sleeves, over green tights of the same color. On these and the tunic, 
scales of lighter green and even silver and gold can be sewed. 

The claws can be made of large cotton gloves dyed green, with long nails 
hanging at the ends for talons. 

The tail is made of stuffed cloth or buckram to correspond with the head, and 
is covered with scales. 

The Red Dragon should be very like the Green Dragon , only in two shades 
of brilliant scarlet. 

The materials of the Dragon costumes should be the same except in color. 
The heads should be of slightly different design. 

Each wears an over-panel of cream linen from shoulder to knee, with the 
insignia of the Red or the Green Dragon of a Mah-Jongg set painted on it. 

It is very effective for the Dragons to smoke cigarettes inside their heads if 
possible, the smoke curling out through their mouths. 

The costumes are best made of some inexpensive, fairly strong material. 
However, paper muslin will do. 

East Wind 
First design. 

Full undercoat and trousers or skirt of plain pale green; neck and sleeve 
decoration of scarlet and blue. 

Long front panel of heavy yellow material with symbol of East Wind in 
deep blue or black. 

Green, stiff, round Mandarin hat with scarlet tassel and sign of East Wind 
in front in black or blue. 

Small black or blue paper fan. 

Scarlet shoes. 

Old man make-up with long black moustache and deep lines in face. 


[66] 


Second design. 

Scarlet Mandarin hat with green tassel, and East Wind sign in black in front. 
Elaborately embroidered coat and skirt. 

Make-up and accessories same. 


The Mandarin hats can be made of cardboard, with black silk for crowns. 

A Chinese paper parasol is held over East Wind by One Dot , or, if desired, 
a scarlet and green canopy may be carried by four Dots. 

East Wind can be made very elaborate if desired. The first design is given 
for a case where no embroidered Chinese coats are procurable. If 
this is followed, the other Winds should not have embroidered coats. 


West Wind 
First design. 

Stiff headdress painted green and scarlet and gold, made to resemble an 
old Chinese design, with artificial flowers over the ears and long hang¬ 
ing tassels and earrings. 

Elaborate Chinese make-up. 

Full knee-length coat of Chinese deep blue, with trousers or skirt of same. 

Knee-length panel of green with West Wind symbol in black or deep blue. 
Scarlet shoes. Peacock or heavily embroidered round Chinese fan. 

Second design. 

Elaborately embroidered Chinese coat and skirt (or trousers of dark satin). 
Make-up the same. It is possible to have a simple smooth Chinese 
coiffure without the headdress. 

West Wind has a paper Chinese umbrella carried over her by a Dot. 


North Wind 

Stiff, round, silver Mandarin hat with white or silver tassel and North Wind 
symbol in white or silver in front. 

Long white or silver coat with silver or white designs. 

Silver or white shoes. 

Long white panel with North Wind design in silver. Silver staff, or black 
and silver fan. 

Old man make-up, with long white hair and beard. 

White or silver shoes. 


Powdered snow-sparkle can be used on North Wind. 

White or silver Chinese umbrella carried over North Wind by a Dot. 

If umbrella is not possible, a huge white and silver disc with snow-crystal 
designs carried on a silver pole. 

North Wind can wear silver or crystal chains. 

His costume can be made effectively of sateen. 

South Wind 
First design. 

Short sleeveless coat of soft gray material; trousers of same, chiffon or silk 
if possible. Pale green wide sash undercoat with South Wind symbol 
in black. 

Smooth black coiffure; hair parted in middle with scarlet poppies in the 
coils at the sides. Long trails of pale green poppy stems and leaves 
and scarlet poppy flowers. 

Bare feet and arms. Green and silver anklets; bracelets and earrings to 
suit. 

Long chiffon scarf with South Wind symbols in black on ends. 

If scarf is not used, the costume can be made with sleeves like a regulation 
Chinese costume. In this case a heavier gray material is recommended. 

Chinese make-up, very pale, with red mouth and dark eyebrows. 

Black or scarlet round fan. 

Second design. 

Chinese silk coat of brilliant yellow embroidered with butterflies and 
flowers; much lighter and gayer than West Wind. Blue or green 
trousers. Simple Chinese coiffure with poppies or yellow flowers. 
Straight Chinese make-up. 

South Wind has an umbrella carried over her by a Dot. If possible, the 
umbrella should be yellow or blue paper and very gay. 

One Character 

Very old man make-up, with bald head and long white moustache, or smooth 
shaven. 

Coat and trousers of pale cream yellow silk or cotton, with over-design in 
front on cream linen panel of One Character. A scarlet or black fan. 


Characters 
First design. 

Peaked straw or painted hats of bright blue or yellow, with Character sym¬ 
bol painted or cut out from scarlet cardboard and pinned on the front. 

Coat and trousers of cotton, preferably white or yellow (pajamas can be 
used for this, rolled to the knees if desired). 

Over-panel, shoulders to knees, of cream linen with Character number 
painted on as in tiles of a Mah-Jongg set. 

There should be eight small Characters , a number to each. 

Red sandals or bare feet. 

Brown Chinese make-up and long queue (made of black material cut in 
strips and braided). 

Second design. 

Loose costume of cream material same as One Character . Front panel with 
Character symbol. 

Mask of brown for entire face, as Chinese and conventionally ugly as possi¬ 
ble. Black skull cap or white wig, bald. 

Red sandals or bare feet. 

The Characters should be little actors; children do very well, and should be 
more or less of the same height. They should be trained to act their 
parts with great precision and all speak in unison and move identically. 


Two Bamboo — very tall and thin 

Coat and trousers of soft green cotton material. 

Peaked straw Chinese sun hat. 

Straight front panel of cream, with symbol of Two Bamboo painted in green. 
Bamboo pole, very tall, with little three-cornered green-leaf pennant. 

Bare feet; brown make-up; pigtail of black. 

He carries a Chinese wicker or wooden cage with a wooden bird in it. 
Bamboos 

Coat and trousers of soft colored cotton, preferably blue or green. 

Peaked Chinese straw sun hats. 

Front panels marked as Bamboos in the Mah-Jongg set. 

There should be eight of these Bamboos , all small actors of the same height, 
possibly small boys. They carry bamboo staves, and should be trained 
to precision in acting and shouting. 


[69] 


Dots 

One Dot 

Peaked hat of Chinese straw or painted scarlet, with the symbol of a Dot 
painted or cut from cardboard and pinned on it. 

Soft colored coats and trousers of cotton, preferably blue. 

Bare feet. Front panels with Dot symbols on each, numbered. 

These should be very small children, all more or less of a height. It is nice 
to have One Dot the smallest of all. 

Palanquin 

Posts of green or black or scarlet. Scarlet roof (made of cardboard or thin 
wood) with the Four Symbols of the Winds. 

Chinese cornices if desired. Side panels of scarlet with black and gold 
Chinese dragons. 

Scarlet curtains — very thin — or scarlet doors like a shrine. 

Behind the Princess , a Chinese design of wood or bristol board, gilded, sur¬ 
mounted by a round, silver moon. 

Dragon heads or curious designs in gold or silver can be put where desired, 
but it is best to keep the palanquin rather simple, and to be very care¬ 
ful to have it accurately Chinese. 

Suggestion for Indoor Setting 

Although the Play of Mah-Jongg is written for a garden, it can easily be 
given on an indoor stage. The following is a suggestion for a setting: 

At the back of the stage runs a high cream-colored wall built of large blocks 
representing the backs of Mah-Jongg Tiles. Set in the center is the 
Shrine of the Princess, brilliant with scarlet and gold laquered doors. 
The Four Seasons stand against the Wall, two each side of the Shrine, 
and as the curtain rises, the Characters are in a row, down stage, 
chanting. The pool, ringed with thick, brilliant colored flowers is either 
at center or at right. Dwarf evergreen trees, in stone pots, one or more 
on each side, would make interesting accessories indicative of a Chinese 
Garden. The back drop shows a deep blue sky. The Shrine could 
very effectively have a Pagoda-shaped roof of scarlet and gold. 

The photographs were taken during an actual performance in a garden 
and are by Arthur French of New York. 


[70] 









THE MUSIC 


MUSIC FOR THE PLAY OF MAH JONGG 


Constance Grenelle Wilcox Harvey Worthington Loomis 

No. 1 (a). THE PROCESSION 

Voices (off stage ) 



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[72] 























































































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Sea - son of Scar - let Fo-liage! Behold! the Fourth Season . to guard the 

[73] 


































































































































The Characters 



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Prin-cess! 

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It is the Sea - son. of White Rain! . . 
All, (except the Princess ) 




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Be - hold! the 


Flow - ers that come with the 

/rs 


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Sea - sons and the Sea - sons that come with the Flow - ers! 



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Pung, Chow, . Pung,Chow, . Pung, Chow, . Pung,Chow! 


No. 2 (a) STREET CRY 


/ Andante ^ ( Mah Jongg ) 


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Mah Jongg! Mah Jongg! Who buys my wares, plasters the crannies of his 


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Wall with luck! . Mah Jongg !Mah Jongg! Who buys from my basket, pro¬ 


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vides for him - self . a Heav’nly Peace! Mah Jongg! Mah 


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Jongg! Who takes what I prof - fer, can o - ver-come the 


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Thirteen Odds! Mah Jongg! Mah Jongg! Who buys? Who buys? 


[74] 
































































































































No. 3 Song. THE SEASONS AND THE FLOWERS 

(Mah Jongg) 

Allegro moderate 



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1. The Sea-sons and the Flow’rs Blow down the Winds a - 


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way, The swiftly mov-ing hours, Each brings new games to play. 



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2. The Bam-boo shad-ows length-en, The Bird is stilled in . 
4. My Wall,strong Bamboos make it, Two Dra-gons guard the 



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sleep; My Hand I can - not strength-en, Lest 

gate, My Sea - son, I must take . it, Be - 


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I my Hon-or keep. 3. TheFlow-ers and the Sea-sons Drift 

fore it is too late. 5. The Sea-sons and the Flow’rs.. Are 




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light a - cross the Wall; Pung,Chow, what are the rea-sons Why 
nev-er marked the same. Will it be man-y hours. . Be - 


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I . should heed your call? 

fore I end the (Omit . .) Game, Be - fore I end the Game? 




































































































WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING COMPANY 
BOSTON 





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